Orioles: Five Players Who Exceeded Expectations in 2016

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Oct 4, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Mychal Givens (60) pitches fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in the in the American League wild card playoff baseball game at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

Mychal Givens went from converted infielder to key piece of the bullpen in 2016.

Sure, he was a solid contributor in 2015, when he went 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA in 30 innings.

However, that was in limited appearances, and everyone wanted to know what he would do as a main cog in the ‘pen.

Givens became a guy that Buck Showalter relied upon.

All Givens did was go 8-2 with a 3.13 ERA in 74.2 IP, a WHIP of 1.272 and 96 strikeouts, compared to 36 walks.

Givens became a guy that Buck Showalter relied upon heavily to come in and get big outs, whether in the fifth inning like in the Wild Card game, or in the eighth inning.

The other key part here is that Givens is only 26 years old, and has several years until he is even arbitration eligible.

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